Cartouche met een tekst uit het Bijbelboek Romeinen 1555

This small-scale print, made by Frans Huys around the mid-16th century, features a cartouche with a biblical text from Romans, chapter 13. The work, rendered in delicate lines, presents a formal arrangement where text is not merely content but an integral design element. Notice how the central block of text is framed by an elaborate, symmetrical border of swirling forms, cherubic figures and grotesque masks, creating a visual tension between the clarity of the message and the ornamental complexity that surrounds it. This interplay functions semiotically, drawing attention to the word of God. Consider how this framework might destabilize the text's authority, suggesting a period grappling with new interpretations of religious doctrine. The very structure invites questioning of established meanings, reflecting the intellectual foment of the Renaissance. It suggests a deep engagement with the philosophical undercurrents that defined Huys' era.